Nairobi — More than 200 people have been affected by a recent cholera outbreak in East Pokot and Turkana East and more could be at risk, humanitarian agencies have warned.

The disease, which broke out in late November, has claimed 26 lives and more than 10 people are admitted at health facilities, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Sunday.

It said as at December 14, the outbreak had affected 205 people.

Of the 26 deaths, only three occurred at the treatment centre, it added. Many more deaths are believed to have taken place in remote and inaccessible areas.

On December 10, the ministry of Public Health reported a decline in the number of new cases at health centres in Pokot, but OCHA said it was not clear if the outbreak has slowed or it was the inability of residents to access health centres.

Cattle raiders

"Search operations for the sick are hampered by the rough terrain," the agency said.

The first suspected cholera outbreak erupted around November 13, when some Pokots in pursuit of cattle raiders fell sick and developed cholera-like symptoms. The outbreak is linked to contaminated water sources.

The Kenya Red Cross Society and the Ministry of Public Health have reported that the rough terrain and isolated nature of the affected areas made it difficult to access the sick and for the sick to access health centres located some 70 kilometres away.

Areas worst hit are Nasorot, Nadome and Lomelo.

The region has experienced one of the worst droughts in decades, forcing residents to drink contaminated water which they share with livestock and wild animals.